Raymond's Run Argueaky

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Squeaky and the Average Girl

“"Rosie the Riveter"” is an iconic piece of artwork used by feminists (as a symbol of unity) all around the world and after its rediscovery (it was not seen since the 1940s). Different from its WWII message in modern times, it has united women all over the globe against gender inequalities. "Rosie the Riveter" is a symbol of feminism and shows that women can be strong. This type of strength can be seen in Squeaky, the protagonist of “Raymond’s Run”, a story of an impoverished girl in 1960s Harlem, New York. Squeaky is plagued by gender stereotypes, as her mother wants her to become more girly-- like other girls-- and not what she is now. Squeaky does not want to be a “strawberry”; she wants to run. That …show more content…

Squeaky shows how she can be herself even when her mother forces a gender stereotype upon her: Squeaky does not want to be girly; she wants to be herself, as seen in the following …show more content…

(Page 32, line 188). Squeaky believes that her mother should be grateful that she is not wasting money on a dress that she will not be able to wear it next year, and the truth is that she is an impoverished black girl. Another example of Squeaky being similar to "Rosie the Riveter" is Squeaky refusing to be stereotyped and fighting back against gender inequalities, like being tough and standing up for yourself, instead of acting weak and girly. “That’s right fatso, and the next word out of anybody and I’ll be their mother too” page 31, line 160-161 . At this point in the story, Squeaky is standing up to bullies when they bully Raymond for having a mental disability. Like Rosie, Squeaky believes in people, specifically her brother, and wants to see him succeed. Proof of this can be seen in the following quote from Squeaky, “But what has Raymond got to call his own?” p. 37, line 388-389 . Squeaky realizes her brother has a running talent, and wants to help him succeed, just like Rosie did for the women during WWII. She wants to give Raymond something to be proud of. Similarly, "Rosie the Riveter"

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